Behind the Secrets by VANISH

Die on Stage Until You Don’t Care Anymore - John Archer on Fear, Failure & Comedy Magic


Listen Later

He’s been called one of the UK’s best comedy magicians, and for good reason. 

In this episode of Behind the Secrets, we sit down with the legendary John Archer, whose career spans decades of laughter, astonishment, and unforgettable moments on stage. 

From becoming the first ever Fooler on Penn & Teller: Fool Us to taking on the high-pressure spotlight of Britain’s Got Talent, John shares the highs, the lows, and the glorious disasters that every performer secretly fears (including the infamous Cuba nightclub gig and the night he somehow became a babysitter mid-show). Along the way, he unpacks how comedy and magic really fit together, why the “die on stage” reps matter, and the mindset shifts that keep you both brave and kind with audiences.

We dive into:

  • How John blends comedy and magic without tipping into cliché
  • The lessons he learned from touring with Tim Vine
  • Why dying on stage is essential to becoming great
  • The best (and worst) advice he’s ever received
  • Why imposter syndrome never really disappears, even after big accolades
  • The Cuba fiasco: performing to a dancing crowd that didn’t speak English - and how he “died with dignity”
  • Audience selection pitfalls (and fixes): choosing the right volunteer, reading personalities, and recovering from curveballs
  • John’s FIRE framework for scripting: Funny, Interesting, Relevant, Entertaining - and cutting everything else
  • How room setup can make or break a show (dance floors, bars, ceilings, and attention economics)
  • Thoughts on exposure culture and keeping magic sacred while still inviting newcomers in
  • Tuning material for context: what John changes for comedy clubs vs. magic audiences

CONNECT WITH JOHN at this website, on YouTube and on Instagram

Connect with VANISH

Subscribe to VANISH

VANISH on Instagram

Connect with Jordana, Podcast Director

Email: [email protected]

Jordana on Instagram

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Behind the Secrets by VANISHBy VANISH Magic Magazine